Mailing container



Jan. 4, 1938. E. G. OVERLY MAILING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 9, 1956 2 Sheets-She et 1 lNVENfO I ATTORNEY Jani 4, 1938. E. s. OVERLY 2,104,352

' MAILING CONTAINER Filed Jan, 9, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /2 .muu 1301--.- I Is STATEST.

PENN.

lNVENTOR BY 4 M dud- {ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to mailing containers, especially so-called two-compartment containers orenvelopes for simultaneous delivery of a plurality of postal items differing in character and 5 which, for various reasons, it may be desirable to enclose individually together, the present invention being more particularly directed to the provision of such a container for a set of automobile license plates accompanied by the conventional owners license certificate.

An object of the invention is to produce from sheet material a one-piece wrapper blank formed with a body portion of sufficientarea to provide two adjoining panels, one adapted to extend over the front face of the set of license plates and the other adapted to extend over the rear face thereof, when the body portion is folded around a lengthwise edge of the plates. This body portion of the blank has two lateral extensions each adapted to fold over one side edge of the set of plates to form a side-flap, both flaps being tucked between one face of the set and the adjacent panel; one of the panels having also a coverflap extension adapted to be folded over the other lengthwise edge of the set into contact with underlying portions of the blank, and adapted to be secured in that contiguous relation by an adhesive so disposed on the mutually contiguous wrapper portions as to define the boundaries of an adhesive-free pocket for the license certificate.

The cover-flap is provided with a conventional window in the pocket wall, through which may be viewed the name and address of the person to whom the set of plates and the certificate are being delivered, such certificates being usually each provided with the name and address of the owner, at a region where it can be so used as a mailing address.

Another object of the invention is to so dispose the fold joining the cover fiap of the wrapper to its body panel that said fold serves as an abutment for the upper edge of the certificate permitting the certificate to be inserted correctly V within the pocket, between the set of plates and the adjacent panel of the wrapper. Such a wrapper is available for use with various forms of certificates and with plates of different dimensions.

Another object is to arrange the upper edge of the front panel of the wrapper to occupy, in the completed container, a position of juxtaposition with the fold between cover-flap and rear panel, so that the enclosed certificate will be protected against destruction by the cutting action of any Uri opening knife used in slitting the fold against which the certificate abuts.

Still another object is to provide that the set of plates or other planiform article may be withdrawn from the wrapper either wholly or in part 5 by first untucking either of the side-flaps, and thus the routine inspections required by the postal authorities may be readily accomplished without making it necessary to remove the certificate, or any item of first class mail matter which may 0 be contained in the pocket.

Various further objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the accompanying drawings and description, and the features of novelty will be particularly pointed 15 out in the claims.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated the present preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein,

Fig. 1 is a view of a one-piece died-out blank of sheet material adapted to form a mailing container embodying the present invention; the wrapper being shown as assembled with a set of plates ready to be enfolded in the wrapper; 5

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the package components in assembled position prior to the preliminary closure of the cover-flaps;

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken after preliminary closure of the cover-flap, but before insertion of an automobile owners license certificate in the pocket prepared therefor;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a complete mailing package comprising a set of automobile license plates enveloped in a container formed of the wrapper as illustrated in Fig. 1, and also including the conventional owners license certificate in its appropriate pocket.

Fig. 6 is a View, similar to Fig. 3, of a modified form of one-piece died-out blank of sheet material adapted to form a mailing container embodying certain features of the present invention; the wrapper being shown as assembled with a set of plates in a position ready for closure of the envelope; and also including the conventional owners car license in position to be secured for mailing.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of the modified 5 form of container as in Fig. 6 but closed for mailing.

In the now-preferred embodiment of the invention selected for illustration and description, the reference character W designates generally a wrapper blank died-out of a sheet of suitable material such as heavy sheet paper, and comprising rectangular body portions I and 2 adapted to serve as panels when the blank is folded upon itself along the line 3, the panel I being intended to extend over one face 4 of a planiform article P, such as an automobile license plate, or a set of such plates. The body panel 2 extends over the reverse face of the planiform article (see Fig.2). v a

One of the panels, as 2, is furnished with lateral flap parts or extensions, as 5, 6, and each of these side fiaps is adapted to be folded over a side edge of the planiform article and is adapted to tuck in between the panel and the adjacent face of the planiform article, as shown in Fig.- 3. These side flaps preferably are long enough to nearly meet each other at their extremities, when tucked in, thus serving as an added protective layer of material or packing for the enveloped article; also affording an area of frictional engagement therewith which tends to maintain the flaps in their tucked-in positions.

In pursuance of the invention, the body panel 2 is provided with an extension I, which is adapted to serve as a cover-flap, being foldable, as at 8, over the other long edge of the set of plates (see Fig. 5). This cover-flap has at 9 a suitable observation window, through which can be viewed, as in Fig. 5, any informative legend Ii] there presented, such as a mailing address or other mailing direction. 7

In the instance illustrated, the legend observable through the observation window 9 is the name and address of an automobile owner, whose car-registration license certificate C is to be mailed to him with the set of license plates P. The package may otherwise comprise two postal items of different classification, such as a catalogue, so rated, and a letter rated as first class mail.

In certain States, the size of a set of license plates and the size of such an owners certificate, bear about the relative proportions indicated in Fig. 5, where the outline of the certificate is shown in dotted lines. In the operation of assembling the wrapper W with the plates P and certificate C, the side-flaps. 5 and t are first folded over the side edges of the plates, as at I 2 and I3. These flaps will, in the completed package, have their ends disposed between the set of plates, and the body panel I, as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 4 shows the positions of the set of plates and the wrapper parts after the wrapper panel I has been folded over on line 3. The last described figure shows the wrapper W arranged toenvelop the plates, being held frictionally in assembled relation therewith in the absence as yet of any adhesive securement.

In pursuance of a feature of the invention which provides for accomplishing conveniently the insertion and envelopment of the certificate C, after a preliminary step of sealing the cover:- flap in such a manner as to form a pocket for the certificate, the cover-flap is made of suitable proportions to receive an adhesive at three regions, as I4, I5 and I5, of which two are disposed in spaced-apart relation along the forward free edge of the cover-flap, as at iI, Il, and these regions are preferably sealed down upon the panel I, at the time of wrapping the plates, as illustrated in Fig. 4. H I

The third of said adhesive regions I6 is disposed at the forward free-edge E8 of a projecting lip of the cover-flap, which, as shown in' Fig. 4,

is left free to permit insertion of the certificate C, and may be turned back for that purpose, if desired, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Between these adhesive regions, I5, I6, I? and defined thereby, lies a central non-adhesive area I9, of rectangular form, adapted to serve as the outer wall of the pocket 20 in which the license certificate C is completely enclosed, as shown in Fig. 5, when the envelope is completed by sealing down the free projecting lip or edge I8 of the cover-flap.

An operator accustomed to inserting the certificates in wrappers and sealing the cover-flaps, will find no difiiculty in avoiding undesirable adhesions between the certificate and the contiguous wrapper parts.

It can be seen, readily that the certificate C can easily be added to a wrapper and plate combination or assembly taken from a pile or accumulation of already wrapped sets of license plates, arranged in predetermined numerical oriii der in the pile; the certificate, having beenstamped with its appropriate serial number, corresponding to that of the set of plates, can then be inserted most conveniently in the pocket 26 of the selected, pre-formed package, at the time of actual preparation of the package for mailing.

That is to say, when the license certificate has thus been made out and stamped, it is inserted in the pocket and the lip l8 of the cover-flap is sealed down, and the package is ready to be mailed, the mailing directions being observable through window 9.

It is to be observed further that the presence of the certificate does not prevent withdrawal of the set of plates from the wrapper, wholly or in part, by the postal authorities, for such inspection, as. may be required in postal routine, inasmuch as either of the side-flaps 5 and B can at any time be untucked and the plates withdrawn to the extent desired, and they can be replaced similarly.

In pursuance of the invention, the panel I preferably has its upper edge 2i disposed in close proximity to the fold along the line 8, so that when an opener blade is inserted between one of flaps 5 or 6 and the panel I, to slit the fold along the line 8, the blade will be automatically guided away from the portion of the license certificate which overlies the panel edge 2!.

Although I have described particularly a certain physical embodiment of my invention and explained the operation, construction and principle thereof, nevertheless I desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

For example, in a possible modification of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and '7, provision is made for a variation in the disposition of a license certificate C, which latter is of the same type as the certificate C already described, and occupies a similar position relatively to the cover flap 2'! in the respect that the certificate C is but unattached, so that one or both of these side fiaps can be untucked, freeing the plates P for removal.

A. further point of resemblance is found in the disposition of the window 25. in suitable position to permit the legend it on the certificate C" to be viewed therethrough.

The above features in common of the respective forms illustrated are covered by certain of the claims, which are accordingly to be regarded as generic to these and to any equivalent embodiment of the idea of means herein disclosed, and exemplified by these partially similar structures.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, however, exhibits substantial differences of structure and operation, when compared with the structure and operation of the preferred form of embodiment of the invention hereinbefore first described.

Referring to Fig. 6, in particular, it will be apparent that the necessary confinement of the certificate C against lateral displacement is achieved, not by lateral regions of adhesion between the cover-flap 2i and underlying panel H, but by the side walls 3% and 33 of an elongated slot til died out of the blank panel I! as part of the general blanking operation.

Other noteworthy differences of structure con comitant with the provision of the slot 3!] reside in the formation of the cover-flap 2'! of uniform extent from side to side, and the similar formation of a uniformly broad band of adhesive 2t, as compared with the three regions of adhesive, it, it and in the structure of Fig. l, and the correspondingly different contour of the coverfiap of Fig. l with its projection it at the leading edge.

The application of adhesive in the form of Figs, 6 and 7 involves a somewhat simpler operation than the similar operation of applying adhesive to the regions l4, l5 and I8, and the straight-edged cover-flap El is somewhat more economical of material; and under certain conditions of manufacture these economies are to be regarded as worthwhile, inasmuch as the production of containers of this class is rewarded by a very narrow margin of profit.

In the use of the containers embodying the features of the invention disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7, there are notable differences as compared with the use of the other form viz., that of Figs. 1-5 inclusive.

First-The certificate, as C has its upper margin, indicated by dotted lines, inserted through the slot til, so that even before closure, the certificate is held frictionally in place and not likely to be misplaced by careless handling and possibly permitted to project into the region of adhesive securement between the cover-flap and the underlying panel l l, to the detriment of the certificate and with resultant imperfection in the sealing operation.

Secourl.--The single movement of thrusting the certificate G into the slot 3% automatically determines the registry of its legend Hi in proper position to be viewed through the window, and it is retained in this position without special volition on the part of the operator, until sealed-in.

Third.-The upper part of the certificate, bearing the important particulars as to make, style, year, weight, etc, of the car, are protected not only by the part 3": of the cover-flap between the upper edge of the window and the fold 28, but also by the broad upper margin 32 of the panel II which overlies this part of the certificate and constitutes an effective additional protection therefor, thus utilizing usefully an otherwise useless part.

Fourth-The sealing operation is of a unitary character, and up to the time it is accomplished, by adhesive union of the band of adhesive 26 to the underlying panel ii, the panel I l and the underlying panels 5 and 6 can be opened out easily, as for inspection of the plates P, for example, to ascertain whether they are both properly in place, a matter which may be of importance under certain conditions, and also to make sure that they are properly protected against mutual scarring by abrasive contacts in transit.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A mailing container for planiform articles of the class described, such as a set of automobile license plates, said container comprising a one-piece wrapper blank of paper formed with a body portion folded upon itself to constitute two adjoining panels, of which one extends over the front face of a plate and the other extends over the rear face thereof when said wrapperbody is folded around one lengthwise edge of the plate or set of plates; said body portion of the blank having two laterally extending side flaps each adapted to fold over one side edge of the plate, one of the panels having a cover flap extension adapted to fold over the opposite lengthwise edge of the plate into contact with underlying portions of the wrapper blank, and adapted to be secured in that contiguous relation by an adhesive so disposed on at least one of the mutually contiguous wrapper portions as to define the boundaries of an adhesive-free region between said contiguous panel and flap assembly in the completed container, this region constituting a pocket for an item of mail of another kind, such as a license certificate bearing a mailing legend, said cover flap having a suitable window through which said legend. may be viewed, said wrapper blank being further characterized by having said adhesive applied in such a fashion that the leading underside edge of the cover flap and the contacted portions of the underlying wrapper parts will be secured together eventually by three areas of adhesion of which two areas are relatively broad and are spaced apart laterally by the said observation window, while the third adhesion area occupies a region coextensive with the forward extremity of the cover flap, said cover flap having a tip portion protruding beyond the adhesive-free pocket area of the wrapper and beyond the leading edge of said other lateral regions of adhesion, and adapted to constitute the adhesive component at the third area of adhesion, said area being entirely in advance of the other two areas, and readily scalable separately therefrom, whereby the front edge of the sealing flap at each side thereof stands rearward of the pocket flap.

' 2. A mailing wrapper for license plates: said wrapper being flat and adapted for sale in that condition to the user; having a central portion and four flap-forming portions extending from the central portion, with score-lines defining the boundaries between the central portion and fiaps, and one of the flaps having an addressviewing window in an area adapted to provide, with the underlying flap, a pocket for a license certificate having a mailing legend viewable through said window; said blank having a suitable remoistening adhesive on at least one of said pocket-forming flaps to define the boundaries of said pocket, permitting the enclosure of said certificate; and two of said flaps at opposite side edges of said central portion being of suflicient length respectively to be retained when, said side-flaps have been folded over the plates and said pocket-forming flaps have been folded over said side flaps and adhered to each other, confining said side-flaps non-adhesively.

ELMER G. OVERLY. 

